Hand designation abbreviations based on English terms: A (Ace) K (King) Q (Queen) J (Jack) T (Ten) 2-9 (Other denominations) o (indicates that the hand is off-suited, i.e., not of the same suit) s (indicates that the hand is suited, i.e., of the same suit)

Each starting hand has a ranking from 1-169, where 1 is the highest ranking. There are 1,326 different starting hands in Texas Hold’em. However, if you disregard different suit combinations, there are a total of 169.

Information about expected value (EV) is based on statistics from 122,031,244 hole cards that were dealt during games in the PokerRoom.com poker room. Expected value: +1.67, for example, means that the hand, on average, led to a profit equivalent to 1.67 big blinds when it was played. Note how Expected Value differs from Ranking Among Starting Hands. In real game situations, better-ranked hands may have a lower EV than lower-ranked hands, mainly due to the tendency to overplay certain hands.

When the instruction is, for example, “Raise, Call,” it means that Raise is the action that is primarily recommended but that Call is also an acceptable alternative.

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Information

Starting Hand Designations

Ranking Among Starting Hands

Expected Value

Raise, Call, Fold

Hand ranking: 1Expected value: +2.32RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 2Expected value: +1.67RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 3Expected value: +1.22RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 5Expected value: +0.86RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 10Expected value: +0.58RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 17Expected value: +0.38RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 21Expected value: +0.25RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 29Expected value: +0.16RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 36Expected value: +0.07CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 46Expected value: +0.02CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 50Expected value: -0.03Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 51Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 52Expected value: -0.09Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 4Expected value: +0.77RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 6Expected value: +0.59RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 8Expected value: +0.43RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 12Expected value: +0.33RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 19Expected value: +0.18CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 24Expected value: +0.10CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 30Expected value: +0.08CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 34Expected value: +0.03CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 28Expected value: +0.08Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 32Expected value: +0.06Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 33Expected value: +0.02Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 39Expected value: +0.00Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 7Expected value: +0.39RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 9Expected value: +0.29RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 14Expected value: +0.20RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 22Expected value: +0.09CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 37Expected value: +0.01Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 44Expected value: +0.00Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 53Expected value: -0.04Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 55Expected value: -0.05Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 58Expected value: -0.05Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 59Expected value: -0.08FoldFold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 60Expected value: -0.08Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 13Expected value: +0.23RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 15Expected value: +0.17RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 25Expected value: +0.06CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 43Expected value: -0.02CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 61Expected value: -0.06FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 66Expected value: -0.08FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 69Expected value: -0.09FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 71Expected value: -0.10FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 72Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 75Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 16Expected value: +0.15RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 26Expected value: +0.04CallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 41Expected value: -0.03CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 64Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 79Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 82Expected value: -0.11FoldFold in most situationsHand ranking: 86Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 87Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 89Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 23Expected value: 0.05CallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 38Expected value: 0.00CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 57Expected value: -0.10Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 74Expected value: -0.11Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 93Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 95Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 96Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 98Expected value: -0.10FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 40Expected value: -0.03CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 54Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 68Expected value: -0.11Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 88Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 106Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 107Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 111Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 48Expected value: -0.02Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 62Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 78Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 94Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 116Expected value: -0.15FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 118Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 56Expected value: -0.03Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 67Expected value: -0.11Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 85Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 103Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 120Expected value: -0.15FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 63Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 70Expected value: -0.09FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 90Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 110Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 65Expected value: -0.08Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 77Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 92Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 84Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 97Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 105Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 11Expected value: +0.51RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 18Expected value: +0.31RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 27Expected value: +0.19RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 42Expected value: +0.08RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 76Expected value: -0.03Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 91Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 102Expected value: -0.10Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 113Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 101Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 104Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 109Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 117Expected value: -0.15FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 20Expected value: +0.16RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 31Expected value: +0.07RaiseCallA strong hand that can be played in all positionsHand ranking: 45Expected value: +0.01CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 81Expected value: -0.07Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 112Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 122Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 125Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 128Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 132Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 133Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 135Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 35Expected value: +0.03CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 49Expected value: -0.02CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 83Expected value: -0.08Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 115Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 131Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 137Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 141Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 143Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 144Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 146Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 47Expected value: -0.03CallFoldFold in early positionHand ranking: 80Expected value: -0.08Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 108Expected value: -0.10Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 129Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 147Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 149Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 152Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 153Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 155Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 73Expected value: -0.08Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 100Expected value: -0.09Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 124Expected value: -0.10FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 140Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 157Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 158Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 160Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 162Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 99Expected value: -0.10Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 119Expected value: -0.10Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 134Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 150Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 164Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 165Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 166Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 114Expected value: -0.12Fold,CallPlay only in late positionHand ranking: 126Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 139Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 156Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 167Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 168Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 121Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 130Expected value: -0.11FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 145Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 161Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 169Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 123Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 136Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 148Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 163Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 127Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 138Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 151Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 142Expected value: -0.13FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 154Expected value: -0.12FoldGarbage hand that should never be playedHand ranking: 159Expected value: -0.14FoldGarbage hand that should never be played